Long-Term Care for Stroke Victims

The third leading cause of death in the United States is stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in adults. Because of the brain damage that follows a stroke, some type of long-term care may be needed. With adequate nursing and therapy measures, stroke victims achieve at least partial return of the abilities they lose right after a stroke occurs. The recovery process may take up to two years.

Stroke

• A stroke is an attack on the brain. Its technical name is a cerebral vascular accident, or CVA for short. It happens when there is an interruption in blood flow to a part of the brain, which occurs because a blood clot forms or because bleeding in the brain occurs. If there is no blood getting to an area of the brain, cells in this part of the brain die, leading to brain damage.
  Functions controlled by the brain cells that die due to stroke are lost. Abilities that might be lost include movement, speech, emotional control and memory. Each person who has a stroke is affected differently. Many factors influence the problems occurring after a stroke. Usually, there is a return of some or all of abilities that are lost, and intense therapy is the best option after a stroke. If the stroke is severe, the victim may not be able to live at home because it is not safe or because his family cannot provide the care he needs.

Long-Term Care

• Long-term care combines medical, nursing, custodial, social and community services that assist people who have disabilities and can no longer care for themselves. Services may be given in the person's home, in the community, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes, depending on the level of care she needs and the family support she has.

Options

• Because of the intense physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy people need after having a stroke, a long-term care facility may be the best and easiest option. A skilled nursing facility has licensed therapists on staff who provide the care necessary to make a full or partial recovery. Nursing staff monitor stroke victims for signs of health problems and give them appropriate medications. Family support is available from social workers on staff.
  Although assisted living facilities do not have therapists on staff, visiting therapists can provide therapy to stroke victims residing there. Staff at assisted living facilities monitor health issues on a limited basis and oversee the intake of medication. The residents at these facilities must have a fairly high level of ability.
  It is possible for stroke victims to live at home with adequate family support and the use of visiting nursing and therapy services.